Syringe with adjustable aspirating means



Dec. 9, 1958 L. OGLE, SR 2,853,452

SYRINGE WITH ADJUSTABLE ASPIRATING MEANS Filed June 22, 1954 Z j 6 Qjf J); Deceased lag 2 Ja WWr United States Patent SYRINGE WITH ADJUSTABLE ASPIRATING MEANS Leighten ()gle, Sr., deceased, late of Chicago, 111., by Edna Ogle, admiuistratrix, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 22, 1954, Serial No. 438,562

8 Claims. (Cl. 128218) The invention relates generally to syringes, and more particularly to hypodermic or injection-type syringes.

Injections into the human or other bodies are commonly accomplished by means of suitable syringes, usually made of glass, comprising a barrel to which the needle or other penetrating device is attached and a plunger for actuating the device. As the amount of fluid to be injected varies with the particular application, the barrel is usually graduated in units of volume, whereby the person using the same may determine and inject the proper amount of fluid desired. In the present types of construction, the plunger is free to travel within the barrel throughout the effective capacity of the syringe, and in filling the syringe to a desired volume the operator inserts the open or needle end of the barrel into the fluid to be received and then withdraws the plunger from the barrel until the desired amount of fluid is drawn into the same as indicated by the position of the inner end of the plunger with respect to the graduations on the barrel. Sometimes the operator may draw in a predetermined amount of fluid in excess of that required for the desired injection and will discharge only the desired amount of such fluid ino the patient, controlling the action of the plunger by stopping the insertion of the plunger at the desired point along the "raduations indicating that the desired predetermined amount has been injected. In either event the operator must accurately actuate the plunger with respect to the barrel to insure that only the desired amount of fluid will be injected into the patient. It will be appreciated that in such an operation care must be exercised, particularly to prevent either an excess of fluid in the barrel or in that injected into the patient.

The present invention has among its objects the production of a syringe structure which is so designed that accurate and uniform control of the volume of fluid drawn into and thus discharged from the syringe is achieved at all times, and which may be readily adjusted to accommodate any desired volume of fluid within the capacity of the particular syringe.

Another object of the invention is the production of a syringe structure having the above advantages which may be readily operated with one hand both in filling and injecting operations.

A further object of the invention is the production of a syringe having the above advantages which may employ standard types of syringe structures, to-wit, barrel and plunger assemblies of the type presently on the market and in use, without any change in the design of such barrel and plunger assembly, whereby in the event of breakage, etc., the elements may be replaced with standard commercially available replacements.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a syringe structure which may be readily cleaned or sterilized without dismantling the barrel and plunger structure from its associated elements, and which at the same time readily permits disassembly of the plunger and elements when desired.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a syringe structure embodying the present invention with portions thereof broken away to show the details thereof; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

The present invention contemplates a structure having a barrel-receiving element and a plunger-receiving element, such elements being so related that the outward movement of the plunger relative to the barrel and thus the amount of liquid withdrawn into the barrel may be controlled. Means is provided for varying such relative travel so that the device may be adjusted to receive any predetermined desired amount of liquid. Means is also provided for urging the plunger in an outward direction, whereby the device may be readily operated with one hand.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates generally a syringe barrel 1 of standard type having a discharge nozzle 2 at one end thereof to which a hypodermic needle or other device may be suitably attached. Normally the barrel is made of transparent glass and provided with a series of graduations 3 thereon, that iilustrated being graduated in cubic centimeters with the upper end of the barrel 1 terminating in an outwardly extending flange 4. Cooperable with the barrel 1 is a plunger indicated generally by the numeral 5 likewise formed of glass and terminating at its upper end in a flange 6, with the inner end 7 provided with a suitable index illustrated in the present instance: as a colored line 8, cooperable with the graduations 3 to indicate the position of the inner end of the plunger with respect to the barrel and thus enabling the user to ascertain the volume of fluid withdrawn into the barrel. Usually the interior surface of the barrel and exterior surface of the plunger are a ground fit. In syringes of the type illustrated, the exterior surface of the nozzle 2 may also be ground as indicated at 9 operative to form a ground fit with the needle or other attachment employed therewith.

Positioned on the upper or free end of the barrel as viewed in the drawings is an annular sleeve or collar member 11 having a bore 12 therein of a size to freely receive the plunger 5, the member 11 having a counterbore 13 therein of a size to receive the flange 4 of the barrel, with the end face 14 of the flange 4 seated on the inner face 15 of the counterbore 13. The flange 4 is retained in the counterbore 13 by a retaining plate 16, the latter being secured to the annular member 11 by any suitable means, as for example, a plurality of screws 17 extending through the plate 16 and threaded into the member 11. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the member 11 is of generally cylindrical shape, having curved end portions 18 and flat front and rear faces 19. Preferably inserted between the plate 16 and adjacent face of the flange 4 is a semi-resilient ring or washer 21 which is operative to apply sufficient compression force against the flange 4 to retain the same in operative position but at the same time prevent the possibility of breakage of the flange by the application of excessive forces thereon.

Positioned on the free upper end of the plunger 5 is a cap member 22 of approximately the same external dimensions and shape as the member 11 and provided with a bore or recess 23 therein of a size to receive the flange 6 of the plunger, the flange being retained in the recess 23 by a retaining plate 24 which is secured to the member 22 by screws 25 passing through the plate and threaded into the member 22. Interposed between the end face 26 of the plunger and the bottom 27 of the recess 23 is a suitable semi-resilient washer or disk 28 which serves the same function as the washer 21.

It will be apparent from the above disclosure that the members 11 and 22 are thus firmly secured to the upper ends of barrel 1 and plunger 5, respectively, and movable therewith. Extending upwardly from the member 11 to the member 22 and, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, carried by the member 11, are a pair of guide rods 29 each of which extends parallel to the axis of the barrel and flange assembly, the rods 29 exending through the member 22 and plate 24 and outwardly from the member 22, as illustrated in the drawings. In the embodiment illustrated, the rods are secured to the member 11 by cooperable threaded portions. Secured to the member 22 are a pair of tubular members 31, each rod 29 extending through a respective tube with the latter in the present instance being secured to the member 22 by a threaded connection comprising external threads 32 on the adjacent end of each tubular member 31 and internal threads 33 in each of the bores in the member 22 through which the rods 29 extend. Encircling each rod 29 is a compression spring 34, the internal diameter of each tubular member 31 being of a size to freely receive the associated spring, with the outer ends 35 of the members 31 being flanged or otherwise suitably constructed to engage and retain the adjacent end of the corresponding spring 34. As the opposite end of each spring 34 bears upon the member 11 the springs are operative to urge the member 22 away from the member 11 and thus urge the plunger outwardly with respect to the barrel 1.

Carried by the rods 29 is an adjustable stop member 36 illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention as being cylindrical in shape and having a pair of bores 37 through which the free ends of the respective rods 29 extend. Threaded into each end 38 of the member 36 is a suitable thumb screw 39, the inner end of which is adapted to engage and bear upon its associated rod 29, whereby the member 36 may be rigidly locked to the rods 29 at any desired position of adjustment therealong, with the member 36 being adapted to engage the free ends of the tubular members 31 carried by the member 11 and thus restrict outward movement of the member 22 and plunger 5 with respect to the member 11 and barrel 1.

It will be apparent from the above description that the member 22 and thus the plunger 5 will be urged outwardly by the springs 34 with respect to the member 11 and barrel 1 to the limit of its travel as determined by the position of the member 36 relative to the rods 29. However, by applying sufficient force to the member 22 to overcome the action of the springs 34 the plunger 5 may be moved inwardly intothe barrel.

In use the operator would initially adjust the member 36 along the rods 29 to position the inner end 7 of the plunger 5 at the desired point along the graduations 3 to provide the desired volume in the barrel, the plunger being held in such position while the member 36 is moved along the rods 29 into abutting relation with the adjacent ends of the tubular members 31 and locked at such position by actuation of the thumb screws 39. The operator then grasps the device in one hand, placing the thumb on top of the member 22 and the first two fingers adjacent the plate 16 on opposite sides of the barrel 1, whereby a squeezing action on the members 11 and 22 may be readily effected. In this manner, the operator initially fully inserts the plunger in the barrel and then inserts the nozzle 2 or needle carried thereby into the desired fluid, following which the pressure on the member 22 is slowly released, permitting the member 22 to move outwardly under the action of the springs 24, and thus withdraw the plunger from the barrel until the stop member 36 is engaged by the tubular members 31. The liquid may then be discharged from the syringe by grasping the latter in the same manner as heretofore described with respect to the filling thereof and moving the plunger into the barrel to discharge the liquid therefrom.

It will be noted from the above description that with the structure described the device may be readily adjusted to provide any desired volume in the barrel within the full capacity range of the syringe. When desired, the plunger may be readily removed from the barrel by loosening the thumb screws 39 and removing the stop member 36 from the rods 29, following which the plunger 5 and member 11 may be fully withdrawn from engagement with the barrel 1 and rods 29. The device is assembled in like manner by inserting the plunger in the barrel with the rods 29 extending through the tubular members 31 and the stop member 36 replaced upon the rods and locked in position. It will be noted that the tubular members 31 in the embodiment of the invention illustrated serves several functions such as cooperating with the stop member to limit the movement of the member 22, at the same time insuring adequate room for the operators thumb upon the upper face of the member 22 and providing means for receiving the springs 34 when the latter are in their fully compressed positions. The latter enables the member 22 to be moved into abutting relation with respect to the member 11, which otherwise could not be accomplished if the springs 34 merely extend between the members 11 and 22, as the springs when fully compressed would occupy suflicient vertical space to prevent full insertion of the plunger into the barrel.

It will be noted from the above disclosure that the pres ent device is exceedingly simple in construction and substantially fool-proof in operation, only two movable assemblies being provided other than the springs 34. It will also be noted that as the plunger is spring-biased, single hand operation of the device is readily accomplished as it is not necessary to hold the barrel in one hand and actuate the plunger with the other.

It will also be appreciated that as the barrel 1 and plunger 5 are of standard construction they may be readily utilized in connection with the remainder of the structure without change so that the device may be readily employed with existing syringes.

Having thus described the invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention, hence, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a syringe, the combination of a syringe barrel, a syringe plunger reciprocably associated with said barrel, a pair of guide members operatively related to said barrel and plunger, resilient means associated with said guide members for urging said plunger outwardly from said barrel, and an adjustable stop member carried by said guide members for limiting such outward movement of said plunger.

2. In a syringe, the combination of an elongated syringe barrel having an open end, a syringe plunger extending into said barrel and arranged for axial reciprocation therein, said barrel having a radially extending external flange thereon adjacent the open end thereof, said syringe plunger having a radially extending flange thereon adjacent the free end thereof, a pair of guide rods carried by one of said flanges and extending into cooperative relation with the other flange, a pair of compression springs, each encircling a respective rod and operative to urge the plunger away from the barrel, and a stop member adjustably carried by said rods, operative to limit the outward travel of said plunger relative to said barrel.

3. In a syringe, the combination of an elongated syringe barrel having an open end, a syringe plunger extending into said barrel and arranged for axial reciprocation therein, a member carried by said barrel adjacent the end thereof, a member carried by the syringe plunger adjacent the free end thereof, a pair of guide rods carried by and extending from the member carried by said barrel, the member carried by said plunger having respective bores therein through which said rods extend, a pair of tubular members rigidly carried by the plunger member and extending outwardly therefrom, each of said rods extending through a respective tubular member, each of the latter having an inwardly extending flange portion adjacent the free end thereof, a pair of compression springs, each encircling a respective rod and extending into the adjacent tubular member with one end of the spring seated on the barrel member and the other end on the internal flange of the associated tube operative to urge the plunger member away from said barrel member, a stop member adjustably carried by said rods, and means associated with said stop member operative to limit movement of the latter relative to said rod.

4. In a syringe, the combination of an elongated syringe barrel having an open end, a syringe plunger extending into said barrel and arranged for axial reciprocation therein, said barrel having a radially extending external flange thereon adjacent the open end thereof, a collar member positioned on the open end of said barrel and having a bore therein of a size to receive said plunger, said collar member having a counterbore therein of a size to receive said flange, means for retaining the latter in said counterbore, said syringe plunger having a radially extending flange thereon adjacent the free end of said syringe plunger, a cap member having a recess therein in which the flange on said plunger is positioned, means for retaining the latter in said recess, means operative to urge the cap member away from said collar member, and means for limiting the outward travel of said cap member and plunger relative to said collar member and barrel,

5. In a syringe, the combination of an elongated syringe barrel having an open end, a syringe plunger extending into said barrel and arranged for axial recipro cation therein, said barrel having a radially extending external flange thereon adjacent the open end thereof, a collar member positioned on the open end of said barrel and having a bore therein of a size to receive said plunger, said collar member having a counterbore therein of a size to receive said flange, a retaining plate having a bore therein of a size to receive said barrel operatively secured to said collar member adjacent said counterbore and overlying the adjacent face of said flange to retain the latter in said counterbore, said syringe plunger having a radially extending flange thereon adjacent the free end thereof, a cap member positioned on the free end of said syringe plunger, said cap member having a recess therein in which the flange on said plunger is positioned, a retaining plate having a bore therein of a size to receive said plunger operatively secured to said cap member adjacent said recess and overlying the adjacent face of said plunger flange to retain the latter in said recess, guide means extending between said collar member and cap member, resilient means associated with said collar and cap members, and means related to said guide means for limiting the outward travel of said cap member and plunger relative to said collar member and barrel.

6. In a syringe, the combination of a member adapted to receive and support the free end of a barrel, a second member adapted to receive and support the free end of a plunger member, a pair of guide rods carried by and extending from said first member, said second member having respective bores therein through which said rods extend, a pair of tubular members rigidly carried by said second member and extending outwardly therefrom, each of said rods extending through a respective tubular member, each of the latter having an inwardly extending flange portion adjacent the free end thereof, a pair of compression springs, each encircling a respective rod and extending into the adjacent tubular member with one end of the spring seated on said first member and the other end on the internal flange of the associated tube operative to urge the second member away from said first member, and a stop member having bores therein through which the free ends of the rods extend, said stop member being adjustably carried by said rods, and means carried by said stop member for locking the same in any of its adjusted positions on said rods whereby said stop member is operative to limit the relative travel of said first member and second member.

7. In a syringe, the combination of an elongated syringe barrel having an open end, a syringe plunger extending into said barrel and arranged for axial reciprocation therein, said barrel having a radially extending external flange thereon adjacent the open end thereof, a collar member positioned on the open end of said barrel and having a bore therein of a size to receive said plunger, said collar member having a counterbore therein of a size to receive said flange, a retaining plate having a bore therein of a size to receive said barrel operatively secured to said collar member adjacent said counterbore and overlying the adjacent face of said flange to retain the latter in said counterbore, said syringe plunger having a radially extending flange thereon adjacent the free end thereof, a cap member positioned on the free end of said syringe plunger, said cap member having a recess therein in which the flange on said plunger is positioned, a retaining plate having a bore therein of a size to receive said plunger operatively secured to said cap member adjacent said recess and overlying the adjacent face of said plunger flange to retain the latter in said recess, a pair of guide rods carried by and extending from said collar member, said cap member having respective bores therein through which said rods extend, a pair of tubular members rigidly carried by said cap member and extending outwardly therefrom, each of said rods extending through a respective tubular member, each of the latter having an inwardly extending flange portion adjacent the free end thereof, a pair of compression springs, each encircling a respective rod and extending into the adjacent tubular member with one end of the spring seated on said collar member and the other end on the internal flange of the associated tube operative to urge the cap member away from said collar member, and a stop member having bores therein through which the free ends of the rods extend, said stop member being adjustably carried by said rods, and means carried by said stop member for locking the same in any of its adjusted positions on said rods whereby said stop member is operative to limit the outward travel of said cap member and plunger relative to said collar member and barrel.

8. In a syringe, the combination of a collar member having a bore therein of a size to receive a plunger, said collar member having a counterbore therein of a size to receive the flange of a syringe barrel, a retaining plate having a bore therein of a size to receive such a barrel operatively secured to said collar member adjacent said counterbore and adapted to overlie the adjacent face of such a flange to retain the latter in said counterbore, a cap member having a recess therein of a size to receive the flange of a syringe plunger, a retaining plate having a bore therein of a size to receive such a plunger operatively secured to said cap member adjacent said recess and adapted to overlie the adjacent face of such a plunger flange to retain the latter in said recess, a pair of guide rods carried by and extending from said collar member, said cap member having respective bores therein through which said rods extend, a pair of tubular members rigidly carried by said cap member and extending outwardly therefrom, each of said rods extending through a respective tubular member, each of the latter having an inwardly extending flange portion adjacent the free end thereof, a pair of compression springs, each encircling a repsective rod and extending into the adjacent tubular member with one end of the spring seated on said collar member and the other end on the internal flange of the associated tube operative to urge the cap member away from said collar member, and a stop member having bores therein through which the free ends of the rods extend, said stop member being adjustably carried by said rods, and means carried by said stop member for locking the same in any of its adjusted positions on said rods whereby said stop member is operative to limit the outward travel of said cap member and a plunger associated therewith relative to said collar member and a barrel associated therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 798,093 Dean Aug. 29, 1905 2,198,666 Gruskin Apr. 30, 1940 2,472,116 Maynes June 7, 1949 2,660,342 Ruf Nov. 24, 1953 2,705,494 Broadwin Apr. 5, 1955 2,735,427 Sullivan Feb. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 111,048 Australia Oct. 25, 1928 

